Should we buy it? Glastron MX185

[PBRman]

Hey Everyone!

I hope you all are having a great winter.

My wife and I were at the New England Boat Show this weekend to help us decide whether to fix my Glassstream Cutlass with a blown engine or buy a new (to us) boat? When the Merc parts sellers and mechanics were telling me to not a waste another dime on the old boat, my question was answered.

Then we talked to a Glastron dealer and of course the greed buttons were repeatedly pushed. We have until Thursday to decide whether we want to get this boat at this price (estimated ~4.5k off). It's a brand new 2012 non-catalyzed Glastron MX185 with a 4.3 Liter Merc 190. Included is the bimini top, trailer, XL package, canvas, etc. in the color we want for ~24k. Everything I've read on here and elsewhere seems to rate these Glastron boats really well for the price (compared with Stingray/Searay/Bayliner). And, from the costs I've seen, we're pretty much getting the upgrade from a 3.0 to the 4.3 for free. In addition, the dealer was very nice to talk with, had excellent customer service, and is well rated around the internet as well as being locally owned (and is willing to sell the Glassstream). Glastron is also made in America - yay!

First question to ya'll: Is this a good deal for the price?

We pretty much want to use this boat for slalom skiing. Though, with the purchase of the boat, my wife is demanding that I get her a florescent wakeboard. How would the wake behind this boat be for slalom? It's a decent sized boat with a big engine so this worries me (yes the Nautiques are out of the price range). I've watched some youtube videos they don't look to bad, but you never know from a video.

So second question: How's the wake behind an SSV (Glastron) Hull with a 4.3 Liter Merc? Is it unmanageable for slalom skiing or something trim tabs could take care of, or smooth as glass and I should buy this boat immediately?

As the far as money is concerned, we were looking at an upper limit of 25K and we wanted new with a 4.3 since my last experience with a used boat was awful and the 3.0 never quite had enough pop. The cost makes me think I should give up on waterskiing and take up knitting.

Thanks ahead for any suggestions!

 

[2ndtry]

Re: Should we buy it? Glastron MX185

(yes the Nautiques are out of the price range)

An 18' I/O will work for either, but not well. If skiing and wakeboarding are your priorities, a used direct drive tow boat is what you need. They are made for slalom, but can throw a great wake with a few fat sacs thrown.

 

[skibrain]

Re: Should we buy it? Glastron MX185

Slalom skiing? Depends what your comparison is.

I have no experience with the MX185 4.3 I/O. I generally prefer outboards over I/Os for hole shot and about 600lb less weight in back that makes for a better (smaller is better) wake. My BIL has a 2001 Glastron GX180 outboard. 150 hp V6 Johnson that is pretty decent. I'm going to guess these are a similar hull. I free ski behind his boat with a bit shorter line 22' or 28' off and it has a pretty hard rooster tail, but if I stay aggressive I can rocket through it OK. He bought his used for $12K.

And I ski 2-4 times a week behind direct drive inboards, so pretty familiar with pros and cons of those.

 

[jdlough]

Re: Should we buy it? Glastron MX185

I cringe at answering this post. I mean, I guess somebody has to buy that 18' $24,000 boat new, so that we on iboats can buy it for $11K three years later. And for $6k three years after that.

I think you should look for recently used. Specifically, the guy who bought that 21' 2008 WhateverXS with LED lights, who's now hoping to get $14k. There's lots of them out there.

My boat was $29K new in 1998. I got it for $6K in 2008. It has less hours on it than my lawn tractor.

I have no idea what a florescent wakeboard is worth, or even what it is.

Just sayin......

 

[PBRman]

Re: Should we buy it? Glastron MX185

I cringe at answering this post. I mean, I guess somebody has to buy that 18' $24,000 boat new, so that we on iboats can buy it for $11K three years later. And for $6k three years after that.

I think you should look for recently used. Specifically, the guy who bought that 21' 2008 WhateverXS with LED lights, who's now hoping to get $14k. There's lots of them out there.

My boat was $29K new in 1998. I got it for $6K in 2008. It has less hours on it than my lawn tractor.

I have no idea what a florescent wakeboard is worth, or even what it is.

Just sayin......

Thank you everyone!

The past few years we've been out on the water 2-3x per week late May- early Sept with at least one full week on the water. The reason I'm worried about used boats is because the last one I had never worked well or reliably. The hull is in great condition but the engine had everything that could go wrong go wrong at the worst possible times (yes, I couldn't waterski the week we were on the water either of the past two summers).

We plan on keeping whatever boat we get for a long long time so I'm not too worried about depreciation and would trade that for reliability. That being said, there are some nice looking used Correct Craft that I've found since reading the replies.

The debate rages on...

 

[skibrain]

Re: Should we buy it? Glastron MX185

Photo of wake behind GX180.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Should we buy it? Glastron MX185

The debate rages on...

Actually it doesn't, if your set on purchasing a new boat that is your decision and yours alone, the fact you purchased a bad boat isn't a bad thing as you clearly think it is, think of the education you got out of it! My personal opinion is that you can get 10 times the boat USED for $24k then you will new, you are no longer a rookie so stop acting like it and go get the boat you want for your budget.

As harsh as jdlough is in his post he is dead on

 

[PrinceValium]

Re: Should we buy it? Glastron MX185

Why not the Merc 4.3 220 hp?

That boat, like mine, is basically all in one boat. The wake behind the boat will not be as massive as a boat with ballasts but it will be enough to do a few jumps on. I don't know what your wake boarding skill is so if it is beginning wake boarding you will be fine. Trim tabs will actually reduce the wake which would be better for skiing but not for wake boarding. There are options however with the Nauticus SX trim tabs that you can lock them up for wake boarding and then put them down for everything else.

IMO if you are looking for mostly a ski boat it should be just fine for the price range. Like others have said it is hard to take the initial hit on a new boat...I did it as well...but I plan on keeping my boat for years to come and am not worried about initial drop in value. I did look at a video of the boat and really for the money I think you would really like the fit and finish of a Tahoe like mine much better. Our Tahoe has a much bigger swim platform, a 4.3 MPI 220 hp V6 and is almost 21' in length. Before you buy the Glastron...at least take a look at the Tahoe(from Tracker Marine) you just might like it better.

Good luck!

 

[mercrewser]

Re: Should we buy it? Glastron MX185

Buying new at 24k? I'd be looking at the chaparral H2O series....... Seem like nice boats. Used inboard towboat would make better financial sense as there is nothing hanging off the transom that will cost $$$ and frustration a few years down the line......

 

[Philster]

Re: Should we buy it? Glastron MX185

You buy a new boat if that is what makes you sleep at night. Can used boats be great deals? YES. However, at the end of the day, this isn't about what is technically more of a value (used vs. new). Technically, new loses the majority of the time, but confirmation bias (one bad used boat) makes us think all used boats are bad.

However, in reality -- the way people and their brains operate -- you need to buy what removes the stress and makes you sleep at night. It's like oil changes. I know people that will change car oil every 3k miles, even though that milestone is outdated. You can hand them proof a thousand times over and the engine computer could recommend the oil change at 5500 miles... and they cannot sleep knowing they didn't change the oil at 3k miles. If you will only have a rested mind with a new boat, get a new boat.

Some people will hate boating knowing they could have bought something that depreciated instead of buying new. To them, their boating experience could be that much better if they save money buying a depreciated boat. Others (maybe the OP), might extract the maximum amount of satisfaction knowing they were the sole caretaker of their boat for its entire life, and they might sleep better knowing it was their's since it was brand spanking new.

.

 

[PBRman]

Re: Should we buy it? Glastron MX185

Actually it doesn't, if your set on purchasing a new boat that is your decision and yours alone, the fact you purchased a bad boat isn't a bad thing as you clearly think it is, think of the education you got out of it! My personal opinion is that you can get 10 times the boat USED for $24k then you will new, you are no longer a rookie so stop acting like it and go get the boat you want for your budget.

As harsh as jdlough is in his post he is dead on

Fair enough.

 

[PBRman]

Re: Should we buy it? Glastron MX185

Buying new at 24k? I'd be looking at the chaparral H2O series....... Seem like nice boats. Used inboard towboat would make better financial sense as there is nothing hanging off the transom that will cost $$$ and frustration a few years down the line......

I'd never heard of these before. The 19ft with the 4.3 liter looks like it would fit the bill.

The Tahoes look very similar to the Glastron in both boat style and price. There's a dealer who has a few of them near, me - I'll have to look. The Q5i looks like the model I'd want.

Thank you!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Should we buy it? Glastron MX185

I could be wrong but there's used and there's USED......I haven't heard of Glasstream in a long while some something tells me that was an OLD boat. We're recommending something only a few years old. I would not relate your experience with your OLD boat to all used boats. A boat similar to that Glastron could readily be found used and plenty to choose from. However, if you want a NEW boat cuz you want a new boat, go for it! I have a new car so I'm certainly not going to throw stones

 

[hostage]

Re: Should we buy it? Glastron MX185

Getting price, reliability, and getting what you want seldom come together in the boating world. You can have nightmares where ever you go, I heard of people having nightmares with Tahoes and other new boats.

Even when my g/f got a "toyota" because of the "quality" didn't mean it was reliable enough. A high pressure oil line ruptured and caused the motor to size, no warning, etc. I was very livid when I found out this was a "known" issue and Toyota refused to help at all (out of warranty). Though 2 months later we got a recall notice on the part. They actually paid us almost the $5k we spent on a new motor and what it cost to install it. Though it didn't cover all of it and can't take back the stress I felt. The moral of the story ignorance is bliss, until you join the minority of people who happen to have bad luck.

If you want a new boat for the new boat feeling, by all means get it. Though there is a chance that something will go wrong and they will try not to cover it.

I have never seen the lakes as glass up in here upstate NY. A Naticique (sp?) is a highly rated and expensive ski boat that can be used for wake boarding with the addition of ballast tanks. They are pretty expensive, even when used.

 

[PrinceValium]

Re: Should we buy it? Glastron MX185

I agree with what others have said here about not all used boats are the same. There are plenty of great used boats out there it all depends on how the owner(s) took care of them as to how much of a headache they will be. Anything can happen to any boat regardless of brand name or how new the boat is.

Like Philster said...it all comes down to what will make you sleep better at night or how secure you would feel being out on the water.

There were a several reasons we bought new..one I knew I was the only person with the boat, two I like that "new" feeling of buying something and having it be pristine, and three I wanted something that would last us a long time. If I were to look for a wake boarding boat I would have NO problem looking at the used boats simply because of the price of those boats new. (i.e. Nautique, or Malibu, or Sanger, or Centurion) Buying a boat that costs 75K just wouldn't happen for me.

 

[BRICH1260]

Re: Should we buy it? Glastron MX185

If it is truly a boat that you will keep and be happy with for maaaany years, go ahead and get the new boat. Just do your homework and make sure it is the best buy for the money. If it is a boat that you will outgrow in a few years and want to trade up, but you can`t because you are upside down on the loan, then you are screwed.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Should we buy it? Glastron MX185

Hey Everyone!

I hope you all are having a great winter.

My wife and I were at the New England Boat Show this weekend to help us decide whether to fix my Glassstream Cutlass with a blown engine or buy a new (to us) boat? When the Merc parts sellers and mechanics were telling me to not a waste another dime on the old boat, my question was answered.

Then we talked to a Glastron dealer and of course the greed buttons were repeatedly pushed. We have until Thursday to decide whether we want to get this boat at this price (estimated ~4.5k off). It's a brand new 2012 non-catalyzed Glastron MX185 with a 4.3 Liter Merc 190. Included is the bimini top, trailer, XL package, canvas, etc. in the color we want for ~24k. Everything I've read on here and elsewhere seems to rate these Glastron boats really well for the price (compared with Stingray/Searay/Bayliner). And, from the costs I've seen, we're pretty much getting the upgrade from a 3.0 to the 4.3 for free. In addition, the dealer was very nice to talk with, had excellent customer service, and is well rated around the internet as well as being locally owned (and is willing to sell the Glassstream). Glastron is also made in America - yay!

First question to ya'll: Is this a good deal for the price?

We pretty much want to use this boat for slalom skiing. Though, with the purchase of the boat, my wife is demanding that I get her a florescent wakeboard. How would the wake behind this boat be for slalom? It's a decent sized boat with a big engine so this worries me (yes the Nautiques are out of the price range). I've watched some youtube videos they don't look to bad, but you never know from a video.

So second question: How's the wake behind an SSV (Glastron) Hull with a 4.3 Liter Merc? Is it unmanageable for slalom skiing or something trim tabs could take care of, or smooth as glass and I should buy this boat immediately?

As the far as money is concerned, we were looking at an upper limit of 25K and we wanted new with a 4.3 since my last experience with a used boat was awful and the 3.0 never quite had enough pop. The cost makes me think I should give up on waterskiing and take up knitting.

Thanks ahead for any suggestions!

I went to the NE boat show on the first day. . . I took a picture of the Glastron glove box and posted it in one of these threads.

Did you buy the boat yet? My only comment is the 'new' versus 'used' consideration as your dollars go a lot further, and often new boats are not any more reliable than used boats. It is a personal choice.

I'm also thinking of spending about $24K - on a used 31 footer with twin I/O's that sleeps 6. Maybe next year.

As far as getting a good price, compare the MSRP of various boats versus what the dealers are willing to sell them for. Generally, you are getting about 30% off MSRP, sometimes even more. On a smaller boat, maybe not so much as there is less wiggle room.

 

[PBRman]

Re: Should we buy it? Glastron MX185

I agree with what others have said here about not all used boats are the same. There are plenty of great used boats out there it all depends on how the owner(s) took care of them as to how much of a headache they will be. Anything can happen to any boat regardless of brand name or how new the boat is.

Like Philster said...it all comes down to what will make you sleep better at night or how secure you would feel being out on the water.

There were a several reasons we bought new..one I knew I was the only person with the boat, two I like that "new" feeling of buying something and having it be pristine, and three I wanted something that would last us a long time. If I were to look for a wake boarding boat I would have NO problem looking at the used boats simply because of the price of those boats new. (i.e. Nautique, or Malibu, or Sanger, or Centurion) Buying a boat that costs 75K just wouldn't happen for me.

What will make me sleep well is having a boat with a wake I can get over while cutting on a slalom ski and that turns on when I tell it to. I still haven't been able to find any solid videos of the mx185 wake. The wake in Skibrain's picture above looks awesome, but that's an outboard. I'm trying to find the difference in weight right now...

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Should we buy it? Glastron MX185

Ok what I get out of your posts is that a ski boat would be the ideal boat for you, secondary is a dependable ski boat which to be honest is completely understandable! The part I have a problem with is that you feel that you have to lower your prime goal so that you can accomplish the second goal, and that's just not needed, you can get a quality used ski boat within your price point easily, after looking at my local CL I found a dozen quality ski boats well within your budget and your in an area that has twice the boats as my area does. I think you just need to be a bit more patient and keep looking, your budget is huge in this market there is no reason why you should give up on a quality ski boat just because its used.

Keep looking your boat is out there, you have a lot of time before your going to drop in the water and the market is just about to hit high gear!!

 

[freezerman]

Re: Should we buy it? Glastron MX185

I have a Glatron GXL185 with 4.3 IO. I love it, I did add a swimdeck though. The thing I liked better than the Tahoes is because of the VEC hull there is no exposed fiberglass inside the panels. The wake is smoother in the middle than the outboard with more rise on the outside edges, the kids like popping over it with the tube.